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HIV Testing & Treatment

Confidential testing, modern treatment, and comprehensive care for HIV prevention and management

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HIV Testing Options

Accurate, confidential testing with same-day results available

Rapid HIV Test

Get results in just 20 minutes with a simple finger prick test.

  • Results in 20 minutes
  • 99.8% accuracy
  • Tests for exposure 3+ months ago
  • Confidential counseling included

Lab-Based HIV Test

Most accurate testing through blood draw with full STI panel options.

  • Results in 3-5 business days
  • 99.9% accuracy
  • Detects infection 2-4 weeks after exposure
  • Can include complete STI screening

At-Home Testing

Discreet testing option with professional support and follow-up.

  • Test in your own home
  • Mail-in or instant options
  • Professional counseling available
  • Connection to care if positive
Testing Window Periods: HIV tests have different "window periods" - the time between potential exposure and when a test can detect infection.
  • Nucleic Acid Test (NAT): 10-33 days
  • Antigen/Antibody Test (Lab): 18-45 days
  • Antigen/Antibody Test (Rapid): 18-90 days
  • Antibody Test: 23-90 days

HIV Treatment & Care

Modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) can help people with HIV live long, healthy lives

Diagnosis & Linkage to Care

  • Confirmatory testing if initial positive result
  • Comprehensive lab work (CD4 count, viral load)
  • Connection to HIV specialist
  • Mental health and support services

Starting Treatment

  • Daily antiretroviral therapy (ART)
  • Modern regimens often just 1 pill daily
  • Minimal side effects with newer medications
  • Adherence counseling and support

Ongoing Care

  • Regular monitoring (viral load, CD4)
  • Management of any side effects
  • Prevention of complications
  • Support for undetectable status (U=U)

Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U)

With proper treatment, people living with HIV can achieve an undetectable viral load, which means:

  • The virus is not detectable in blood tests
  • They cannot sexually transmit HIV to partners
  • Their immune system stays strong
  • They can live a normal lifespan
Scientific consensus: When viral load is undetectable, there is ZERO risk of sexual transmission.

Treatment Benefits

Preserves health

Prevents progression to AIDS

Prevents transmission

ZERO risk when undetectable

Healthy pregnancies

Prevents mother-to-child transmission

Simple regimens

As few as 1 pill per day

HIV Prevention Methods

Effective strategies to protect yourself and others

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

Daily PrEP (Truvada/Descovy)

Effectiveness: 99% at preventing HIV from sex

For: HIV-negative individuals at risk

Requires: HIV testing every 3 months

On-Demand PrEP (2-1-1)

Effectiveness: 86% for gay/bisexual men

Dosing: 2 pills 2-24 hours before sex, then 1 daily

Not approved for vaginal/frontal sex

PrEP is covered by most insurance plans and available through patient assistance programs if uninsured.

Additional Prevention

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

For: Emergency prevention after possible exposure

Must start: Within 72 hours (sooner is better)

Duration: 28 days of treatment

Condoms & Safe Sex

Effectiveness: 80-95% with consistent use

Benefits: Also prevents other STIs and pregnancy

Types: Internal/external condoms available

Sterile Syringe Access

For: People who inject drugs

Benefits: Prevents HIV and hepatitis transmission

Available: Through harm reduction programs

HIV FAQs

Answers to common questions about HIV testing and treatment

Detection depends on the test type and individual factors:

Test Type Earliest Detection Window Period
Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) 10-12 days 10-33 days
Antigen/Antibody Test (Lab) 18 days 18-45 days
Antigen/Antibody Test (Rapid) 18 days 18-90 days
Antibody Test 23 days 23-90 days

Note: A negative test should be repeated after the window period for conclusive results.

Modern HIV medications have far fewer side effects than early treatments. Possible temporary side effects may include:

Common (First Few Weeks)
  • Headache
  • Mild nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Vivid dreams
Rare (Require Medical Attention)
  • Severe rash
  • Liver problems
  • Kidney issues
  • Bone density changes
  • Lipodystrophy (body fat changes)
Most side effects diminish after the first few weeks. Newer medications like Biktarvy and Descovy have particularly mild side effect profiles.

The risk of HIV transmission through oral sex is much lower than vaginal or anal sex, but not zero. Factors that increase risk include:

  • Oral contact with ejaculation
  • Bleeding gums or mouth sores
  • Genital sores or ulcers
  • High viral load in the HIV-positive partner

Estimated per-act transmission risk:

  • Receptive fellatio (mouth on penis): 0-0.04%
  • Insertive fellatio (penis in mouth): Essentially zero
  • Cunnilingus (mouth on vagina): Extremely rare
  • Anilingus (mouth on anus): Extremely rare

Using condoms/dental dams or having an undetectable viral load eliminates this minimal risk.